Ultimate Cheesy Bacon Macaroni Skillet
JP CookingUltimate Cheesy Bacon Macaroni Skillet
Ingredients
For the Macaroni Skillet
- 8 ounces bacon, diced
- 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk, warm
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened, cut into cubes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
First, let's get that bacon super crispy! In a large, oven-safe skillet (cast iron works wonders here), cook the diced bacon over medium heat until it's golden brown and perfectly crispy. This is where all the flavor starts! Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving about 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat in the skillet. Set the crispy bacon aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
⏱️ 8 min
- 2
While the bacon is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside. We want it perfectly cooked, but still with a little bite!
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Now, for the magic cheese sauce! Reduce the heat under your skillet to medium-low. Add the unsalted butter to the bacon fat in the skillet. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute until a smooth paste (roux) forms. This is key for a thick, creamy sauce!
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Gradually whisk in the warm whole milk, a little at a time, ensuring there are no lumps. Increase the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes. This is where the sauce starts to come alive!
⏱️ 4 min
- 5
Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and cubed cream cheese. Stir continuously until all the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and incredibly creamy. This is the moment for that 'otro nivel' texture!
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Remember, we want that comfort cheesy flavor to pop!
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Add the cooked elbow macaroni to the cheese sauce in the skillet. Stir gently until every single piece of macaroni is coated in that glorious, rich cheese sauce. Then, fold in about two-thirds of the crispy bacon. Oh, the aroma!
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
If you want to take it even further, preheat your broiler. Sprinkle the remaining crispy bacon and a little extra shredded cheese (a 'lluvia de queso'!) over the top of the macaroni in the skillet. Broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden. This gives it that irresistible crust!
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Remove from the broiler, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately. Get ready for an ultimate cheesy bacon macaroni skillet that's super fácil and absolutely 'otro nivel'! Enjoy sharing this comfort food masterpiece with friends and family!
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
JP CookingUltimate Cheesy Bacon Macaroni Skillet
For the Macaroni Skillet
- 8 ounces bacon, diced
- 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk, warm
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened, cut into cubes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
First, let's get that bacon super crispy! In a large, oven-safe skillet (cast iron works wonders here), cook the diced bacon over medium heat until it's golden brown and perfectly crispy. This is where all the flavor starts! Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving about 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat in the skillet. Set the crispy bacon aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
⏱️ 8 min - 2
While the bacon is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside. We want it perfectly cooked, but still with a little bite!
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Now, for the magic cheese sauce! Reduce the heat under your skillet to medium-low. Add the unsalted butter to the bacon fat in the skillet. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute until a smooth paste (roux) forms. This is key for a thick, creamy sauce!
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Gradually whisk in the warm whole milk, a little at a time, ensuring there are no lumps. Increase the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes. This is where the sauce starts to come alive!
⏱️ 4 min - 5
Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and cubed cream cheese. Stir continuously until all the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and incredibly creamy. This is the moment for that 'otro nivel' texture!
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Remember, we want that comfort cheesy flavor to pop!
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Add the cooked elbow macaroni to the cheese sauce in the skillet. Stir gently until every single piece of macaroni is coated in that glorious, rich cheese sauce. Then, fold in about two-thirds of the crispy bacon. Oh, the aroma!
⏱️ 2 min - 8
If you want to take it even further, preheat your broiler. Sprinkle the remaining crispy bacon and a little extra shredded cheese (a 'lluvia de queso'!) over the top of the macaroni in the skillet. Broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden. This gives it that irresistible crust!
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Remove from the broiler, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately. Get ready for an ultimate cheesy bacon macaroni skillet that's super fácil and absolutely 'otro nivel'! Enjoy sharing this comfort food masterpiece with friends and family!
⏱️ 2 min